Snowden H J Lt 1st Hertfordshire Regiment

JOHN SNOWDEN HARCOURT was the younger son of the Rev. Harcourt Charles Vaux Snowden, Preparatory Schoolmaster, and of Augusta Louisa Snowden, of St. Peter’s, Broadstairs.

He came to the School in 1901, won his Cap in 1905, and was in the XI in 1906.

He went to Trinity College, Oxford, in October, 1906, and took his degree in 1909, with Second Class Honours in the History School. At Oxford he played in the Freshmen’s Cricket Match, and, several times, for the University at Hockey.

From January, 1910, to July, 1914, he was a Master at Lockers Park Preparatory School, and during this time he joined the Hertfordshire Regiment, and was promoted Lieutenant in September, 1914.

He was killed in the early morning of January 11th, 1915, on the Rue du Bois, Richebourg St. Vaast, near Béthune. After seeing that the sentries were at their posts, he crossed the Rue du Bois, and in so doing was shot. Age 27.

His Major said :—

“I had such confidence in him that, when I was in his neighbourhood and knew that he was the Officer on duty, I never went round the posts to see that all was well.”

Another Officer wrote:-

“He was a fine example to all of us of a good and straight-living Englishman.”

Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1

Snowden H J Lt 1st Hertfordshire Regiment

Source : The Sphere 30th Jan 1915

Snowden H J Lt 1st Hertfordshire Regiment

SNOWDEN, HARCOURT JOHN, Lieut., 1st Battn Hertfordshire Regt. (T.F.), yг. s. of the Rev. Harcourt Snowden, of St. Peter’s, Broadstairs, by his wife, Augusta, dau. of Martin Daniel; b. Ramsgate, 12 Dec. 1887; educ. Hildersham House, St. Peter’s; Park-ield, Haywards Heath; Rugby and Trinity College, Oxford. He joined the Hertfordshire Regt. under Lieut. Col. Viscount Hampden’s command, 2 June, 1913, and was promoted Lieut. 26 Sept. 1914. On the outbreak of war he volunteered for foreign service, served in France and Flanders, and was killed in action while visiting sentries early in the morning of 11 Jan. 1915; unm. He was buried near Richebourg L’Avoué. His Major said: “I had such confidence in him that, when I knew that he was the officer on duty, I never went round the posts to see that all was well.” Another officer wrote: “He was a fine example to us all of a good and straight living Englishman.”

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1